Flags representing all nations were waved early today as around 1,500 people descended on Hethersett High School playing field to witness the Olympic flame.

The lantern carrying the Olympic flame visited the village just before 6.30am before the torch relay resumed its journey from Norwich.

The special visit of the Olympic flame, carried in a lantern held by Hethersett Olympic Committee chairman Shane Hull comes after the village organised dozens of events over the last three years to celebrate London 2012.

The flame was accompanied by Liam Forkes and Star Page, head boy and head girl of Hethersett High School, along with Olympic torchbearers Josh Worley and Nicky Wardale, who carried the torch on its route to Norwich.

Mr Hull, who will carry the torch through Felixstowe later in the day, said it was 'brilliant' to bring the flame to Hethersett.

'We are the only place in the UK where the flame has come off route. I am very proud and the whole village has turned out this morning and people have been queuing from 5am to get a good spot.'

'The whole village has come together. In 2010 and 2011, we organised more Olympic events per head of the population than any other place in the UK,' he said.

Former Hethersett High School pupil Josh Worley, who carried the flame for his work in setting up the SNYA youth radio station, said: 'It is amazing to be part of it and this shows what a community can achieve in getting something as important as the Olympic flame.'

Nicky Wardale, leader of the Hethersett Ducklings Playgroup and Hethersett resident, ran with the torch in Cromer.